Heavy Fire Hits Minneapolis Residential Building

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Firefighters in Minneapolis had a hard time getting a fire under control at a triplex on First Avenue.

The two-story building is located at 2507 First Ave., near the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The fire started just before 1 p.m. and was in the walls, making it difficult to put out.

Everyone managed to get out safely. Five people were displaced by the fire that consumed the triplex that is also a sober house.

One firefighter was hurt when he was hit in the head by a ladder as the crews fought to contain the thick smoke.

People who lived nearby were also evacuated from their homes because of concern the fire would spread.

Patrick Schwartz is one of the men who lived in the sober house.

“It’s my home, everything I own is inside that house,” he said. “The sweatshirt I got on, somebody gave me. It means sobriety. It means a place where I can stay sober and stay sheltered from problems on the street.”

Schwartz’s biggest concern was finding his 1-year-old cat named Tommy.